The Delray Beach Festival of the Arts celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary this year, when it returns January 18 – 19, 2014. Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to register to win the free art giveaway featuring the work of Delray Beach resident and watercolor artist Pat Kaufman. The 28”x40” framed Gicleé of the watercolor painting titled “Cottages of South Swinton Avenue” will be on display in Pat’s booth where registration will also take place. No purchase is necessary to participate and the winner will be announced on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The Rickie Report is pleased to share the details in this article. Kudos to Pat, whom we’ve written about in previous articles!

25th Anniversary

Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts

January 18 – 19, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm

Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach (US-I across the Intercoastal Bridge to AIA)

Support the Arts and the Local Community

Free and open to the public

One mile of Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach, starting at US 1 and continuing east over the Intracoastal Waterway to A1A and the Atlantic Ocean, will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery with original artwork and affordable gift items by more than 300 artists from the U.S. Enjoy eclectic art displays, live music and a free art giveaway from Pat Kaufman of Delray Beach. Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free to the public.

Festival promoter Howard Alan Events is thrilled to announce this Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts, has been ranked the 65th top art fair in the United States by Sunshine Artist, the nation’s leading publication for art and craft shows. “This is a wildly popular event,” says festival promoter Howard Alan. “It truly is a wonderful honor and distinction as it was selected from among more than 10,000 festivals in the country.”

“Cottages South Swinton Avenue” by Pat Kaufman

The show will celebrate it’s 25th Anniversary this year, when it returns January 18 – 19, 2014. Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to register to win the free art giveaway featuring the work of Delray Beach resident and watercolor artist Pat Kaufman. The 28”x40” framed Gicleé of the watercolor painting titled “Cottages of South Swinton Avenue” will be on display in Pat’s booth where registration will also take place. No purchase is necessary to participate and the winner will be announced on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Visit Pat’s website to learn more about her work and explore her online gallery.

Festival Information At – A -Glance:

Juried gallery style outdoor art showcase

Consistently ranked among top 100 fine art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine

Largest art affair in South Florida spanning one mile of Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach

Original Art – Handmade in America

300 artists from 30 different states

Prices set to suit all budgets – ranging from as little as $25 to $30,000

Artists hand-selected by independent panel of expert judges from hundreds of applicants

Free Art Giveaway: 28” x 40” framed Gicleé of watercolor painting titled “Cottages of South Swinton Avenue” by Delray Beach resident and exhibitor Pat Kaufman. Pat has painted many of the wonderful homes in Delray along with many historic buildings. She enjoys doing commission paintings as well. Pat offers watercolor classes on Tuesdays from 1-4 and 6-9. Reservations are needed. Pat’s studio/gallery “Tropical Watercolors” is located in Artists’ Alley.

Meet Jeweler, Carol Adams

Pendant by Carol Adams

Carol Adams has been a full time metal smith for the past 30 years. She tells The Rickie Report, ” Self taught as a jeweler, I have a painting and sculpture background from my studies at The Art Institute of Chicago (B.F.A. 1974). All of my pieces are one of a kind and fabricated in precious metals”.

Earrings by Carol Adams

Carol incorporates a variety of techniques including but not limited to forging, fusing, reticulation, chasing, and piercing. She goes on to share, ” The work that you are viewing is not from a production studio. It is fabricated by me from start to finish. I have no helpers, assistants or apprentices. In a world full of mass produced objects, I hope that you will find my work refreshing and exciting”.

About Howard Alan Events, Ltd.:

Howard Alan Events, a Florida-based company, develops and presents art and craft shows throughout the country. For the past 25 years, Howard Alan Events has produced some of the nation’s finest juried art shows, including more than 40 venues each year such as the Downtown Aspen Art Festival (Aspen, CO), Beaver Creek Art Festival (Beaver Creek, CO), Chicago Tribune North Michigan Avenue Art Festival (Chicago, IL), and the Las Olas Art Fairs, (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Several shows are ranked in the top 100 art fairs in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. The founders personally select culture rich cities for their show locations providing a complete outdoor experience unmatched by other festivals. Each show is unique and features works of both established and emerging artists.

For additional information on the 25th Anniversary Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts and other Howard Alan Events art and craft shows across the country, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

BIJOUX! returns to the Norton Museum and even if you are not in the market for a piece of jewelry, The Rickie Report knows you won’t want to miss this event! The artists are based in Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Israel, as well as the U.S. and other countries. They work in gold, silver, porcelain, beads, acrylic, glass, iron, steel, diamonds, and other materials. Their designs range from very conservative to avant garde. Read this article for an interview with Andrea Janosik, whose necklace appears below. BIJOUX! BE THERE!

BIJOUX!!!

Norton’s contemporary art jewelry sale returns!

Five-day fundraiser features work of more than 40 international artists

Necklace by Andrea Janosik

The Norton Museum of Art is presenting BIJOUX!, a contemporary art jewelry fundraiser, offering the public the chance to purchase unique contemporary art jewelry pieces directly from their creators. At least two dozen of the more than 40 international artists represented at BIJOUX! are expected to attend the event, which is open to the public during regular Museum hours (with regular admission) Feb. 27 – March 3, 2013. BIJOUX! also includes a Feb. 26 dinner for patrons and artists at a private home, and a Feb. 27 preview cocktail party at the Museum. Proceeds from BIJOUX! benefit the Norton’s exhibition and education programs.

BIJOUX Chair, Donna Scheier

With the goal of “introducing the community to the best of the international art jewelry world,” BIJOUX! Chair Donna Schneier once again visited one of the world’s preeminent art jewelry fairs held annually in Munich, Germany, and traveled Europe researching and reviewing the work of the continent’s leading art jewelers. The result, Schneier says, “is an assembly of prominent artists from around the world, who are bringing their work to the Norton. It’s a rare opportunity to meet leading art jewelers from around the world and buy the work directly from the artists.”

The artists, based in Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Israel, as well as the U.S. and other countries, work in gold, silver, porcelain, beads, acrylic, glass, iron, steel, diamonds, and other materials. Their designs range from very conservative to avant garde. “I tried to choose artists who would show well here,” Schneier said, adding that BIJOUX! is as much about education as sales.

Andrea Janosik, whose necklace is seen on the BIJOUX! invitation is new to Palm Beach County, FL. The Rickie Report spoke with Andrea about her jewelry.

TRR: When did you know you wanted to pursue jewelry making as a career?

AJ: In college. I was very indecisive, but I knew that 3D was my thing. As much as I loved drawing and painting – building and constructing something with my hands came more naturally, gave me a bigger thrill. I like to imagine objects in space, not on a flat surface. While spending a year in the product design department and a year in sculpture, I took a course in metalsmithing and knew that was it! Small-scaled sculptures that were not styrofoam models but actual end-products, and could even be pieces of art.

TRR: What inspires you as you are designing a necklace?

AJ: I first combined metal with leather at Parsons School of Design. We were asked to make an object that expressed our personal view of beauty, and I made a ring. It was a simple construction out of sterling silver holding, on the inside, a foam rubber cushion lined with suede. For me ‘beauty’ was soft and fragile, in need of protection – and what better material to protect it with than cold, sturdy metal.

That ‘beauty’ ring was just a simple idea, but it started my years-long silver/leather obsession. I first stretched suede or patent over foam, and let it protrude out of perfectly clean, even structures. After using solid, bold colors, I played around with earthy tones. Patterns were next – on both the hard and the soft surfaces. I utilized abstract shapes, then built in literal, humorous references to the African wildlife, since I ran into so many animal prints on leather. One collection turned out sweet, and light-hearted, with soft-petaled flowers, the next was dark and heavy, with only black leather and oxidized silver clusters.

Technically, my aim is to challenge myself to find yet new ways of holding the combo together: squeezing, pulling, stacking, stitching, tension-fitting. Visually, I strive to create designs that are bold, unconventional and different, or try to give an old idea a new twist. Repetition bores me. New inspiration usually evolves from the last piece I finish. One idea comes out of another – it’s a constant discovery, and hopefully, improvement.

TRR: How has you living in other cultures affected your work?

AJ: Growing up in places so vastly different from each other has, above all, made me appreciate diversity and change, extremes and contrasts. There is no country I could call mine – patriotism is a strange concept to me. It is not a coincidence that I have lived in NY longer than any other city (17 years), feeling more comfortable in the cultural mix of my neighborhood (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) than any other place I’ve seen.

My background has taught me a thing or two about personal rights and liberties: Seen through the eyes of a child and a teenager, Slovakia was controlled (back then the socialist Czechoslovakia), Zambia was wild, Germany was ordered. In comparison, New York felt free, has let me be whoever I wanted to become – What a great spot!

TRR: Do you take commissions?

AJ: Yes, I do commission work and love it. Often the client comes to me with a sense of what she/he wants. Maybe something similar to piece of my work but with a few modifications. Or sometimes people bring me a piece of clothing that they want to wear with the jewelry. I’ve had people bring me a piece of leather that they love and want me to use it!

TRR: What brings you to Florida now?

AJ: I am very very excited to make to the move to FL! I love the ocean, the colors, the lush feeling of everything. People here are not afraid of colors and brightness. The sunlight! The pastels here always feel fresh. Embracing color is so stimulating for my work! Visit: www.janosikny.com

Notables from the art jewelry world who will be represented at BIJOUX! include Nirit Dekel, Bruce Metcalf, and Kim Rawdin.

A tour of BIJOUX! led by Davira Taragin, Consultative Curator of Decorative Arts at the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 3 p.m. daily, Feb. 28- March 3.

BIJOUX! is open to the public Feb. 28 – March 3, 2013 during regular Museum hours and is free with Museum admission. BIJIOUX! programs are also free with regular Museum admission. Tickets for the Feb. 27 preview cocktail party are $250 per couple or $175 per person. Patron sponsorships are $1,000 per couple or $600 per person, and include the Feb. 26 dinner with the artists and the Feb. 27 preview cocktail party. For tickets, or more information, call Rebecca Levine at (561) 832-5196 x 1121.

The Norton Museum of Art is a major cultural attraction in Florida, and internationally known for its distinguished Permanent Collection featuring American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, European Art and Photography. The Norton is located at 1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach, FL., and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays and major Holidays). General admission is $12 for adults, $5 for students with a valid ID, and free for Members and children ages 12 and under. Special group rates are available. West Palm Beach residents receive free admission every Saturday with proof of residency. Palm Beach County residents receive free admission the first Saturday of each month with proof of residency. For additional information, please call (561) 832-5196, or visitwww.norton.org.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

ArtiGras gets a large crowd of attendees as well as hundreds of applications from artists and artisans to be accepted into this prestigious show each year. The Rickie Report had the opportunity to speak the judges of Artigras 2012.

Consider these numbers:

Applicants to ArtiGras 2012: 1,100 Accepted: 280

Emerging Artist Applicants: 42 Accepted: 13

The application process for ArtiGras 2013 begins in April!

The day after ArtiGras 2012 is over marks the beginning of the planning process for ArtiGras 2013. Did you notice that this is truly a “show within a show” in many aspects? There are the 280 artists’ tents and 13 more to include “emerging artists” ( who have not been in a professionally juried show before). There are the food and beverage vendors and don’t forget the local non-profit organizations whose presence informs the community.

Add to this the entire local school district’s involvement in the “recycle art” program which enhances the decor of the refuse cans along the ArtiGras route. We hope you put your coins in the boxes to vote for your favorite! The top 10 prize winners will get monies for their school arts programs. There were 20 participants this year, including whimsical and serious “recycle” messages.

The 2012 theme, “One of a Kind” worked well. The 30 committee members (all volunteers) and the 1,200 other volunteers needed to make this event happen seamlessly are the true heroes. A post-event survey will be sent out to help form Artigras 2013 into an even better event.

The Rickie Report often hears grumbling comments about having to pay to walk into ArtiGras, when other art and craft shows on the streets of our communities are free and open. Why is Artigras different?

There is rigorous jurying involved with this event, as you can see from the number of applicants. Professional judges are involved in the three day-long jurying process. The Northern Palm Beach Cultural Council accepts applications from April through September. In October, the jurors meet for an “open jurying” process. They spend 3 days from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm looking through the digital Zapplication files.

Did you know that anyone is welcome to be present during the jurying process? This “‘open jurying” helps artists understand the underpinnings of the heart of this show. The jewelry applications include the highest number of applicants and can take over 3 hours to go through. The judges are looking at digital images, one at a time, in each category. They then record their choices through a numbering system.

If you are applying, you can see not only your work, but your competition’s! This is a moment you might want to take advantage of…see where you stand in the line up. Sobering yet a real life learning opportunity. The staff will let applicants know the approximate hours and day that their category will be judged.

In addition to this exhaustive and intense jurying system, ArtiGras offers liveentertainment, demonstrations by the artists, a kids area where they can make show their own budding artistry and painting classes for adults. All of the monies generated by Artigras stay in the local community, going to schools and area non-profit groups. The ArtiGras planners try to ensure that there is something for almost everyone, meaning price points ranging from $8.00 to beyond. In fact, The Rickie Report was impressed with the affordability of this show’s wares.

Once an artist has been accepted to ArtiGras, their judgement days are not over! There is a different set of judges who walk the entire show, deliberating which artist will be deemed “Best of Show” and awarded $3,000. Plus, FirstPlace of each of the 13 mediums will be judged and awarded $1,000. each.

Judith Wood of West Palm Beach, FLwas awarded Best in Show withher mixed media jewelry. “Wow! That is the best adjective I can think of to describe how I feel. Winning Best in Show was not expected so all I can really say is wow”, she shared.

Necklace by Judith Wood

The winners were selected by three judges who scored each artist and awarded a Best in Show and a first-place winner in each of the 13 categories. The following is a list of the artists who placed first in each category:

There are so many aspects to ArtiGras that you need more than one day to walk the show, speak with the artists ( who must be at their booths unless they are relieved by an ArtiGras volunteer for a break), take in all of this creative energy, and hopefully, go home with a new piece of hand made artwork. The artists also have an opportunity to donate a piece of their work to a children’s sale. You will see a purple ribbon “thank you” at these artists’ tents. (As we said, this is truly a “show within a show”).

The winners of the 2012 ArtiGras Youth Art Competition were announced the first day of the ArtiGras Fine Art Festival presented by Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. More than 250 students in grades kindergarten – 12th submitted artwork for the competition in mediums ranging from pencil and crayon to chalk and paint. Artwork was judged by local artists and art educators who had the daunting task of narrowing down the hundreds of entries to only 77 finalists then selecting a first, second and three place winner along with three honorable mentions for each school grade.

The following is a list of the first, second and third place winners along with three honorable mentions per school grade:

Place

Student Name

School

Grade

1

Audrey Libkie

Jupiter Elementary

K

2

Kelly Ferrell

Timber Trace Elementary

K

3

Ezekiel Encarnacion

Cypress Trails Elementary

K

HM

Lexi Vryonides

Palm Beach Gardens Elementary

K

HM

Elani Nickles

Lighthouse Elementary

K

HM

Tess Kruger

Elbridge Gale Elm

K

1

Michael Brand Campbell

Timber Trace Elementary

1st

2

Aine Mullen

UB Kinsey EL School of Arts

1st

3

Selena Calix

Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethume Elementary K

1st

HM

Brett Sarcia

Good Shepherd Episcopal

1st

HM

Jaidyn Houghtaling

Panther Run Elementary

1st

HM

Jessica Reason

Marsh Pointe Elementary

1st

1

Jean-Luc Abito

Jupiter Elementary

2nd

2

Ali Spector

Lighthouse Elementary

2nd

3

Michelle Williams

Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune Elementary K

2nd

HM

Trinity Williamson

Marsh Pointe Elementary

2nd

HM

Ariel Hayden

Palm Beach Gardens Elementary

2nd

HM

Christopher Benson

Discovery Key Elementary

2nd

1

Eddie Diaz

Panther Run Elementary

3rd

2

Shannon Meloy

Timber Trace Elementary

3rd

3

Tommie McCarthy

Jupiter Academy

3rd

HM

Alexis Internicola

Marsh Pointe Elementary

3rd

HM

Angelina Perumal

Loxahatchee Groves Elementary

3rd

HM

Tyler Mizell

Poinciana Day School

3rd

1

Meredith Fortini

Timber Trace Elementary

4th

2

Emily Evans

Jerry Thomas Elementary

4th

3

Tessa Holt

Beacon Cove Intermediate

4th

HM

Carly Coffey

Northbora Montessori Elementary

4th

HM

Vyona Smith

UB Kinsey EL School of Arts

4th

HM

Jamie Jerchower

Panther Run Elementary

4th

1

Morgan Grigsby

Jupiter Christian School

5th

2

Madison Root

Panther Run Elementary

5th

3

Margretanne Frasca

Good Shepherd Episcopal

5th

HM

Adiana Skye Underwood

Jupiter Academy

5th

HM

Lauren Griffiths

Golden Grove Elementary

5th

HM

Corrine Irving

Poinciana Day School

5th

1

Stephanie Mino

Watson B. Duncan Middle School

6th

2

Compton Waldron

Jupiter Middle School

6th

3

David Libfeld

Poinciana Day School

6th

HM

Katie Sproule

Jupiter Christian School

6th

HM

Sydney Arroyo

Gove Elementary

6th

HM

Christina Carlson

St. Mark’s Episcopal

6th

1

Matthew Serrano

Watson B. Duncan Middle School

7th

2

Riley Snowney

Jupiter Middle School

7th

3

Caleb Thompson

Lake Park Baptist

7th

HM

Logan Moecher

Jupiter Christian School

7th

HM

Isabella M Reynolds

Wellington Christian School

7th

HM

Dhivaan Salig

Poinciana Day School

7th

1

Heather Hart

Jupiter Middle School

8th

2

Summer Scherb

Jupiter Christian School

8th

3

Devin Michael Stephens

Watson B. Duncan Middle School

8th

HM

Dean Biggs

St. Mark’s Episcopal

8th

HM

Lauren Burden

Lake Park Baptist School

8th

HM

Kristina Pereira

Wellington Christian School

8th

1

Sarah Ammirato

Palm Beach Central High School

9th

2

Chelsea Pontbriand

Jupiter High School

9th

3

Megan Derleth

Jupiter Christian School

9th

HM

Maham Karatela

Suncoast High School

9th

HM

Angelica Bafitis

The Benjamin School

9th

1

Gabriella Logiudice

Suncoast Community High School

10th

2

Robyn Rosier

Seminole Ridge High School

10th

3

Beau Britt

Wellington Christian School

10th

HM

Evi Seely

Jupiter High School

10th

HM

Riley Otowchits

Jupiter Christian School

10th

HM

Tristan Torrey

The Benjamin School

10th

1

Meagan Dobson

Palm Beach Central High School

11th

2

Carmen Chaparra

Suncoast High School

11th

3

Samantha Hoek

Jupiter High School

11th

HM

Samantha Smith

Jupiter High School

11th

HM

Rachel Bertolozzi

Jupiter Christian School

11th

HM

Jessica Sanchez

Wellington High School

11th

1

Patricia Nicole Serrano

Seminole Ridge High School

12th

2

Jane Jun

Jupiter High School

12th

3

Britta Smythe

Wellington Christian School

12th

HM

Mary O’Connor

Suncoast High School

12th

HM

Diamond Lewis

Palm Beach Central High School

12th

HM

Sasha Nicole Cornello

Royal Palm Beach High School

12th

The judges listed below decided on the cash prizes. It took them almost a full day onSaturday to achieve their goal. They looked not only at the artists’ work but also their displays. The Rickie Report has written about this aspect of being in a show previously. For the artists reading this, please consider how appealing your display is – by the time someone has reached your booth they have probably seen other booths in a similar medium. What will make yours stand out from the rest?

Meet the jurors:

Andrea Schoen

Andrea Schoen is an accomplished Art Teacher who has now retired and returned to her passion of jewelry design and creation. From 1988 to 2006, Andrea was a tenured Art Teacher at Spring Valley HS- Art/Comp Graphics and Studio Art. She taught Primary through High School levels developing specialized programs in darkroom, photography, computer graphics and calligraphy. Upon retiring, she continued her studies in glass and metal work. She has sharpened or added to her skills in fabrication, stone setting, wax, enameling, hinges, clasps, casting, lapidary, and jewelry repairs. Andrea is currently the 2011-2012 Vice President of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths SE Chapter.

Ilene Adams

With over 25 years of professional experience in graphic design, print making, illustration, fabric design, and faux finishing, Ilene brings a wealth of information and creativity to her work. After owning a nationally acclaimed broadcast marketing company in the Northeast for over 20 years, Ilene focused her energy and skills on the creation of wonderful, warm environments for homes and businesses from New York to Miami. She has over 300 commissions and collections in homes and businesses from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale. An award winning artist, Ilene has been featured in many design magazines both in the New York metropolitan area and the Palm Beaches. Ilene’s business and art education spans Harvard University – MA, School of Visual Arts – NY, Temple University, Tyler School of Art – PA, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art, ROME.

Ofra Friedman

Ofra Friedman is a sculptor who works with a unique technique of wire mesh, welded metal and mixed media. Her sculptures are in public and private collections throughout Florida and in Canada. In 2009 she created 3 outdoor sculptures for Tampa outdoor kinetic sculpture competition, and was awarded ‘People’s choice’ award for her sculpture. Ofra is an experienced judge and a prolific art exhibitor throughout Florida. She brings a well rounded and diverse, global art education beginning with Wire Mesh Sculpture gained in Israel, Stone Sculpture acquired in Florida, Visual Arts and Interior Design studied in Maryland and Performing Arts and Dance in New York. She is a member of a number of professional organizations dedicated to the women and the arts throughout Florida.

Joe Korth

A jewelry artist and metalsmith from Denver, Colorado. Joe was born in Berkeley, CA. His first exposure to jewelry creation was in a high school art class. Joe continued his education at Eastern Michigan University where he earned a B.A. with a dual major in Philosophy and Literature. After completing his degree in 2002, he moved to Denver and began to explore his love for the arts. He enrolled in classes at the Clear Creek Academy of Jewelry and Metal Arts (formerly the Denver Jewelry Academy) and began exploring his potential as a jewelry artist. He has devoted himself completely to jewelry since 2004. Joe is currently working as an instructor at the Clear Creek Academy, teaching the Introduction and Intermediate level Silversmithing classes as well as a workshops in Chainmaking and Jewelry Photography. Since 2009, Joe has been on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Metalsmithing Society.

The Rickie Report spoke to each of these jurors to get their impressions of the overall show, the artwork, and personal observations. They all agreed they enjoyed the experience and would be interested in jurying this as well as other shows in the future. Each judge, when interviewed, expressed amazement at how well managed ArtiGras is, considering its large scope.

TRR: How did you prepare for this jurying process?

The Judges: We met for the first time on Saturday at ArtiGras. We agreed that there would be a scale from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). We tried not to use “4” unless necessary. Zapplications provided us with wireless computers to keep track of the scoring and make sure we saw every artist’s tent. This process eliminated discussion among us and helps eliminate our own personal opinions. Though there was a learning curve using the new technology, most agreed that this leveled the playing field in terms of scoring. The computer program also gave thumbnail overviews of each artist’s work. This turned out to be important not only to help the judges score the correct booth, but to ensure that the work the artist was initially accepted for was indeed in their booth. Judges disqualified themselves from scoring artists with whom they had personal relationships.

TRR: Tell us about your overall impression of the work you saw this year.

The Judges: Some of it was beautifully crafted, while a large part of the wares the vendors were selling were commercially oriented. One judge felt that 5-10% was truly fine art and considered it very well done. The excitement of seeing an artist create a totally new medium impressed all of them. While one judge may look for emotion, depth and originality, another is looking for craftsmanship and creativity. There may have been many potters, the ones that stood out were trying new processes and working with new materials. Though the jurying process was exhausting, it engendered a lot of excitement because of this creative energy.

TRR: Do you have any suggestions for artists applying to shows such as ArtiGras?

The Judges: An artist should develop a clear artistic style. This does not mean they cannot grow or change, but there needs to be a common element in each of their pieces of work. Maintain your training. Keep sharing with other artists in your field and accept feedback. Identifiability is necessary for success but you don’t have to confine yourself. Consider having a well-rounded approach to what you are offering to the consumers: some semi-commercial pieces which are your “bread and butter” and some one-of-a-kind pieces as well. Hone your business skills. If you are not sure how to market yourself, hire someone to do that part of the business while you work on your art. Most people attending an art show like this are looking at aesthetics and elements of design rather than technical aptitude. Do something with your tent/booth area to draw people in.

The Rickie Report thanks the judges, organizers, and artists of ArtiGras 2012 for sharing their insights. TRR is honored to have been part of the call not only for artists but judges as well. For more information about ArtiGras contact: Suzanne@npbchamber.com or 561-748-3945.